The US is holding talks with Qatar and other large gas exporters to plan contingency measures in case a Russian invasion of Ukraine disrupts supplies to Europe.
The talks with Qatar and EU member states, focused on securing additional seaborne liquefied natural gas cargoes, have gained urgency after high-level security negotiations between Washington and Moscow this week yielded minimal progress.
This has increased concerns that conflict could hit gas supplies at a time when Europe is facing record prices. However officials warned that there was no “magic wand” to solve the potential shortfall with the continent already in the grip of an energy crisis.